Electric flash light



Nov. 22, 1927.

B. WOLCOTT ELECTRIC FLASH LIGHT Filed Dec. 18, 1924 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES nonnson B. WOLCO'I'T, or

I 1,649,882 PATENT OFFICE.-

LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK L. SESSIONS, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO.

ELECTRIC, FLASH LIGHT.

I In the past one of the most troublesome and costly parts of a standard flash-light has been the switch mechanism. My invention makes possible an extremely simple switch which can be made and assembled at very low cost. It is adapted to be used on flashlights having metal battery cases as well as on those havingbattery cases made of fibre or other insulating material;

It will be understood that although this specification describes my invention in connection with a standard pocket type fiashlight it may be used for any purpose for which it is suitable.

Among the objects of my invention are: The provision of a; flash-light. adapted to use standard bulb and battery, having a switch mechanism which can be manufactured at low cost; the provision in a flashlight having a metal case, of a switch mechanism no part of which is riveted or otherwise rigidly attached to the, metal case, thus reducing theassembly cost to a minimum; the provision of a switch mechanism for flash-lights'which is adapted'to make and break the contact between the battery and the base or center contact of the bulb.

These and other objects are attainedby the use of my invention herein described and shown in the accompanying. drawings, 'in which: I

.Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section throughaflash-light having a metal case embodying my invention with the i switch in the on posltlon;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the:

flash-light shown in Fig. 1 witht-he' switch removed;

Fig. 3 is the same view as Fig. 2 except with the sition;

Fig. 4 is a sectional of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section ofa flashlight having a fibre case. switch is in the off position;.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary-plan view of the flash-light shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section on line VII'VIIfof g switch in place and in the on poiview on line Fig, 8 is a fragmentary end view ofthe flash-light shown in Fig. 5 with end cap and battery removed.

Referring to the drawings, the cylindrical metal case, 1, has threads formed on each .into theinside of the metal case, 1.

In I this view the i Application filed December 18, 1924. Serial No. 756,669.

end to receive the threaded end caps, 2, and 3. The end cap, 2, is formed so as to hold the lens, 4, in position and the lens, 4, in turn holds the reflector, 5, in place. The reflector, 5, is formed with a flange at its large end so that whenend cap, 2, is screwed on to the metal case, 1, the lens, 4, is forced against the flange of the reflector, 5, and the flange is held against the end of the cylindrical metal case, 1,.thus making an unyielding electrical contact between the case and the reflector. The reflector, 5, has threads'formed at its smaller end to hold the electric light bulb, 6. The end cap, 3, screws on to the opposite end of the case,-1, from the lens. It has a solid base against which one end of. the helical spring, 7, rests. The other end of the spring, '7', pushes against the base of the battery, 8, tending to'push the battery, 8, to the other end of the metal case, 1, and also making permanent the electrical connection .minal of the lamp, 6 and thecentertermi nal of'the battery, 14. H

Aslot, 9, is cut in the metal case, 1, near the front or lens end. The button, 10, has a :stem, 11', which extends through slot, 9,

Stem, 11, passes through the roller, 12, and the end is riveted to hold roller, 12. in place. Roller, 12, is-preferably vmade of insulating ma terial, but itmay be made of metal and it maybe insulated from the stem, 11, by suit able insulation. ,The plate, '13, may be formed to conform with the curve of the met-a-l case, 1, and'serves to cover the slot, 91

-When "the button, 10, is in the position shown in Fig. 3, that is, when it is inlthe forward or on position, the spring. 7,

p'ushesthe battery, 8, against the center ter-.

minal of the lamp. 6. The 'circuit is then completed from' the base of the battery through the spring, 7, the cap, 3, the metal case. 1,the reflector, 5, the outer terminal of the lamp, 6, through the lamp filament to the center terminal, 6 of the lamp, 6,- and the battery terminal, 14:.

The slot. 9,111 the metal case, 1, isso shla ed that when the button, 10, is sacred 'bac r from the position shownin Fig. 3 the slot, 9, guides thestem, 11-, causing the roller,

w th he cen s to pu h he a ery, ha k again the force of the spring, 7, and out of contact with the center terminal, 6 of lamp, 6. This opens the circuit and the lamp goes out. 1

WVhen the button, 10, is in. its extreme back or off position, it is held there by the shape of the slot, 9, which is made slightly re-entrant to engage, stem, 11, and the battery, 8, is locked out of contact with amp 6 When the switch is in the back or off n s cn a sid 1 1 1 On the te l0 will ele se t ste l fr m n ch r etre-ntperics n s ot 9, and; sp ng, 7, will 1 1- t e batt y, 8) for rd nto eh ae .4 t rm ml Qt amp, 1 Figs? show alesh lish simil r to he esth h n slament ha ith sa fibre ereeatlheeirl case 1.5, ins ad of the tal ease 1- he t r ads on the ends a the ease 1.5 re formed rhhe me e ial h ease a d h nd car n 3, east flects-r, lama st ing, a d bat ery,

8, are assembled in the same manner as described in'connection with the-metal case type shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4:.

hole, 16, may be cut inv the case, 15, to

accommodate the movements of the 1 stem,

11. A strip of thin metal, 17, formed to fit the inside of case, 15, extends lengthwise of ca-se,-15, and is flanged over on the ends to formend surfaces adapted to contact With the flange of the reflector, .5, and the spring, 7, or cap, 3, In the drawings this strip of thin metal, 17 is shown covering about one third otthe inner surfaceuot the case, 15, but it is evident that itcan be made of any desired width. The strip, 17, is held in place by the rivets, 18 and 19, 'These rivets, 18 and 19, also serve to hold the metal plate, 20, in place on the outside ofthe case, 15. plate, 20, is shaped to f t the outside of the case, 15, and has a slot, 9, shown in ott lihesn sut t to gu d he t m, 1 t b t 1. 5 P -t-e, s a ho n its c er adap ed o c i s-W 1, a serves to cover the slot, 9*, in plate,4 2O, as

in the construction in which the metalcasc;

shjsed- The h le, 6 n a s e is se er d y new: A hol eerr r ndirg t0 hale 6,, is es t r u h the me s p 'h men s rip 1 t s nt me nne ing-the spring, 7, or cap, 3, andthe rects? i In Fla 5- e wi hme h n m-an the battery-are shown in the ofli 'position. The spring, 7, is compressed and the battery, 8, isheld baclroutnof' contact with the lamp, 6, by the roller, 12.

It will be seen that my flashlight is composed of very tew' and inexpensiveaparts and that it is of simple construction, easy to operat nt hu hi fl, is el i contact. The lamp will always stay lighted unless the button is pulled back. 7

My las ig it h el a l I a noelectr-ical contacts. The circuit is broken a a Peintwhe e t eir mus e a sepa able ontes be e n he batte y a d he. lamp- Th e e rical i hh t h re cr ha at leas n l ss i hlt than Obtains fla hligh s 7 where the usual-form of electric contact wi ch is l ai I s electri flashligh eiihul'a met lie ase ere h th nd el tri light mounted 'in one end ofsald vcaseth its side contact electrically connected w th said case, an end cap adapted to lie-attachedto the opposite end of said case, .a battery adapted to fit in said case between said end cap and said electric light, a spring in said end cap adapted to push against the base of said battery tonor nally hold the topend of said battery in contact with the base of said electric light and meanscomprisingamovable element extending through thecase and pressing against the top end' of the battery to move said battery againstthe pressure of said spring and break the contact between said end of said battery and'said base of said electric light.

2, A flash-light comprising a battery case, an incandescent bulb supported in one end of said battery caseya'bat e y i a dca movable longitudinally, unyielding electriecal connections between one terminal of said bulb and one terminal of said battery. yield,- ing means iornorn ally holding the other terminal of battery in contacty-vith the other terminal of said bulb and means cornprising a movable element extending through h as a p e sing ag ins the l gaging end of said battery to move said hat- 7 e ga nst said y d ng ms ns m br a the contact between the battery and the bulb, In "flash i h ass an ncand sce lampsupported in one end of said case, a"

battery adapted to fit in said case andcbe movable longitudinally thereof. one terminal of said battery being in permanent electrical connection with one terminal of said lamp, spring means to normally hold the other teri minal of said battery in contact with --the other terminal'of said lamp. a cam slot .in said case, a pin extending through and niov: able in said slot having an operating button on, its outer end, having its inner end,

adapted to engage the end of'said battery, said pin being adapted when in one position to permit said battery terminal to contact with said lamp terminal and when in another position moving said battery to break said contact between said lampand said battery,

ed when in one position in said slot to hold said battery in such a position in said bat-1 tery housing that the circuit between said lamp and said battery is broken and when in another position to allow said battery to be in such a position in said battery housing that said circuit between said lamp and said battery is'completed' and spring meansin said battery housing tending to hold said battery in said last named position.

5. A flash-light comprising a battery, a batteryhousing, an electric light bulb, permanent electrical connection between one terminal of said electric light bulb and one terminal of said battery; spring means nor-- mally holding the other terminal of said battery in contact with the other terminal of said electric light bulb battery moving means engaging the lamp-contacting end of said battery and passing through said casing I above the lamp-contacting end of the battery and operable from the outside of said battery casing, 'for moving said second named battery terminal out of contact with said second named electric light bulb terminal" and means for locking said battery moving means in position to hold said battery terminal out of contact with said electric light bulb terminal. V 6. In an electric flash-light case, a slot extending lengthwise of said case, a pin adapted to slide in said slot and be guided by said slot; an operating button on the outer end of said pin, a roller button on the inner end of said pin, and means'for' locking said pin to prevent movement thereof in a direction longitudinal of said case. 7

7. In combination with a tubular case battery flash-light, a flash-light switch com rise ing a pin slidably held in a slot in sai tutubular case. said slot being so shaped as to allow said pin to move lengthwise of said case, said pin having an operating button on its outer end and having, its inner end adapted to make contact with one end of p a battery in said tubularbattery case, spring means adapted to push against the opposite end of said batteryto keep said first named end of said battery in contact with said inner end of said pin, and means consisting of a re-entrant portion of said slot adapted to hold said pin from longitudinal 'movement.

ROBESON WoLcoTr. 

